Grade.Lesson: 4.2

Print(s): Various Original size: VariedArtist: Edward Curtis February 16, 1868 –October 18. 1952

There is not one large print for this lesson. Rather there is a sequence of laminated images of Curtis’ works.

Also please refer to the book Edward S. Curtis: Visions of the First Americans that can be found in the Art Docent Supply closet.

Materials: Digital cameras (collected from teachers) Computer lab Printer paper Black matting paper (precut construction paper) Glue sticks.

Biography: Edward Curtis grew up in the Midwest where his curiosity and interest in cameras and photography grew. In his mid teens, Edward and his family moved to the Pacific Northwest. After his father died, he soon took on responsibility for his family. He married and opened a photography studio in Seattle becoming one of the most prominent photographers in the PNW. He soon ventured out and began taking pictures of the landscape around him along with some of the nearby small tribes of Native Americans. He soon was winning awards for his photos and was continued to be asked to private ceremonies. He gained recognition from the President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. His photography became a way to document the Native Americans before they soon vanished.

“It’s such a big dream, I can’t see it all,” a quote from Edward Curtis.

Discussion: Show various photos of Edward Curtis.

Ask students what they observe in the photos? What do they have in common? Are they similar to photos taken today? Why? Do these pictures look posed or ‘candid’? Do they believe that Edward Curtis took some of the last photos and

why?

Related Art Project: Using iPads, students will take pictures of fellow classmates, teachers, and/or office staff in their natural environment. Students should focus on people doing what they normally do on a daily basis. Once pictures are completed, students work in the computer lab to apply the sepia tone and black and white to their picture. After pictures are approved, they are printed to the color printer (to achieve the sepia tone and black and white). Students trim and glue their pictures to the piece of precut matting paper.

Students discuss their photos with each other.

Additional resources: http://edwardcurtis.com/

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/edward-curtis/shadow-catcher/568/

Vocabulary: natural environment, sepia tone